Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Climbing My Family Tree

Everyone has different techniques when it comes to genealogical research. At the moment, with a 3-month-old baby and work, my technique is non-existent. ;)

But all kidding aside, each of us has a different way of approaching research. Some of us have a combination of methods we use.

I'm not referring to using the internet or tracking down certain records, but how we actually decide to go about our research with regard to the family tree itself. I have 3 different approaches.

1. Tackling the Brick Wall - I think all of us do this. We focus on our brick wall ancestors and sometimes devote hours, days, weeks, even months and years to them. I have a few, most of whom are immigrant ancestors. When I work specifically on them, they are the sole focus of my research. However, I always take a break, so I can come back with fresh eyes a few times a year.

2. One Branch at a Time - Roughly 4 times a year, I climb my entire family tree, from me, up through each and every single ancestor. It leads me to those brick wall ancestors, to whom I devote extra time and energy, and to those loose ends...

3. Tying up Loose Ends - These are the people who just need the smallest amount of research to verify dates and places. Usually I find them in my Massachusetts ancestors in the 1600's. I'll admit, this is where I get lazy, and I need to do a better job of rounding out these entries in my family tree with complete information. This is how I work may way through my family.

Happy Blogiversary! I like your three approaches. I've been a member of Geneabloggers for about six months. This is a great blogging community. This week I've been working on the Civil War. It was not civil.

Wendy, Happy Blogiversary and it's been a pleasure to follow you for many years here and to "see" you daily on fb.You mentioned doing one branch at a time...many years ago a Pro told me that was the best way, but I've never done it. Now I'm thinking I should at least try it (maybe on a short line).Enjoy your cake and ice cream.

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About Me

Wendy is a contemporary and steampunk fantasy author, co-author of "Steampunk for Simpletons," and a genealogical Nancy Drew in disguise. A college town New Englander turned one-horse town Nebraskan, she raises a cup of Dunkies to life among cornfields and coyotes. She is still pleasantly surprised that amber waves of grain exist, and has declared the Midwestern prairies "wicked cool."